Asian Games: Blow to Indian chess, Anand opts out

New Delhi, Oct 29: In a huge setback to India's prospects at the upcoming Asian Games, World champion Viswanathan Anand has cited prior commitments and decided to give the multi-discipline event a miss.

Besides Anand, Koneru Humpy has also declined to represent the country in the Games.The youngest female player in the history of chess to achieve a male grandmaster title reportedly replied to All India Chess Federation (AICF) invitation through the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board stating that she can not be a part of the two preparatory camps.

While Anand's potential to grab a medal stands unquestioned, Humpy had returned from 2006 Asian Games in Doha with two gold medals.

With these two players opting out the AICF has no option but to field the same team that represented the country in the recent Olympiad.

The Indian team is as follows:

Men: K Sasikiran, P Hari Krishna, Surya Shekhar Ganguly, GN Gopal and B Adhiban

Women: D Harika, Tania Sachdev, Eesha Karavade, S Meenakshi and Nisha Mohota.

Coaches: Lev Psakhis and Oleg Romanishin

Manager: Bharat Singh Chauhan

India is expecting to win at least three medals at Guangzhou in the team events for men and women apart from the two individual rapid events.